Horseshoe Falls Reserve
Horseshoe Falls Reserve is a waterfall reserve at the end of Oaklands Road in Hazelbrook, with a 3.5 km return walking track past four named waterfalls on Hazelbrook Creek. Its most notable feature is the glow worms that appear after sunset in the rock overhang behind Horseshoe Falls.
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About Horseshoe Falls Reserve
Waterfall Walking Track at Horseshoe Falls Reserve
Horseshoe Falls Reserve has a 3.5 km return walking track that takes about 1.5 hours and is rated easy to moderate, with a rough surface. The track passes four named waterfalls, starting with Fairy Falls. Oaklands Falls has an overhang that lets walkers pass underneath the water. Burgess Falls is the final destination, named after Lance Corporal Edward Allan Burgess, a Hazelbrook local killed in action in Belgium in 1917; residents dedicated a plaque to his memory in 1918.
Glow Worms at Horseshoe Falls Reserve
Horseshoe Falls Reserve is home to glow worms in the cave behind Horseshoe Falls, the waterfall on Hazelbrook Creek that gives the reserve its name. The glow worms light up once the sun has set, and visitors see them best with every light source switched off inside the cave. The track becomes very dark at night, so anyone staying on for the glow worms needs a torch for the walk back.
Dogs at Horseshoe Falls Reserve
Horseshoe Falls Reserve allows dogs on the walking track, but every dog must stay on a lead. The track falls outside the National Park boundaries, so council manages the reserve. Dogs can walk the full route, including the path to the waterfalls and the gully beneath them. The reserve has no off-leash dog area, and a short lead helps on the rough, muddy sections.
Facilities at Horseshoe Falls Reserve
Visitor tips for Horseshoe Falls Reserve
- ✓Wear good hiking shoes, because the gully gets very muddy and slippery after even mild rain.
- ✓Bring food and drinking water, as the reserve has no water fountains or cafes.
- ✓Take care at track intersections, as some of them can be confusing.
Getting to Horseshoe Falls Reserve
End of Oaklands Road, Hazelbrook NSW 2779, where it becomes Hall Road; Oaklands Road is easy to reach from the Great Western Highway. There is no designated car park: most visitors park on a large grass patch beside the track start, on a bend in the road, and approaching from the north makes the turn in easier. Free suburban street parking is available nearby. From Hazelbrook station, walk up the ramp, through the shops and down Oaklands Road for about 500 metres to the entry sign; the station has a larger commuter car park on Higgs Place.
Open in Google Maps →Nearby Hazelbrook
- 📍Gloria Park, Lester Avenue
- 📍Hazelbrook Bowling Club
Frequently asked questions about Horseshoe Falls Reserve
Can I take my dog to Horseshoe Falls Reserve?
Yes, dogs may walk the whole track as long as they stay on a lead the entire time.
Are there toilets at Horseshoe Falls Reserve?
No, the reserve has no toilets; the nearest public ones are at Gloria Park in Lester Avenue, on the way back up the hill.
Is Horseshoe Falls Reserve wheelchair accessible?
No, several steep and uneven stairways along the trail make it unsuitable for wheelchairs.
Where do I park for Horseshoe Falls Reserve?
There is no car park, so most people leave their car on the grass patch at the track start, with free street parking nearby.
When can I see the glow worms at Horseshoe Falls Reserve?
Go after sunset to the cave behind Horseshoe Falls, and switch off all lights once inside.